A wife, mother, teacher, and avid reader...who likes to write, review books, garden, cook and live the simple life! Self-proclaimed "canning queen," and a Southern girl at heart, I have a deep appreciation for all things "old school" and would rather splurge on a new book than a new dress, and make no apologies for it! Faith and love of country are a must in my life. Welcome to my musings...

Friday, December 28, 2012

Rosemary Opens Her Heart by Naomi King

Another spring reminds the Amish of Cedar Creek, Missouri, that for everything there is a season.

Zanna Lambright is finally marrying Jonny Ropp, and friends and family have come from far and wide to celebrate. Among them is young widow Rosemary Yutzy, mother of toddler Katie, whose husband was tragically killed last fall. With a willing heart Rosemary has taken over care of her in-law’s family and continued to run a baked goods business from home, but privately she still mourns her lost Joe…and is unprepared for the changes that are coming…

Rosemary’s father-in-law wants to merge his lamb-raising business with Matt Lambright’s—a move that will require the Yutzys to relocate from their nearby town to Cedar Creek. Moreoever, it will bring Rosemary into constant contact with Matt, who is making no secret of his romantic interest in her. The challenges of contemplating a future unlike any she expected are overwhelming for Rosemary. And although Matt is strong and kind, his courtship is so persistent, she often wants to run the other way. As Rosemary struggles to see beyond her immediate joys and sorrows, will she embrace the outpouring of welcome and support from the people of Cedar Creek…and accept this new chance to open her heart to a more abundant life?

About the Author:

I’ve called Missouri home for most of my life, and most folks don’t realize that several Old Older Amish and Mennonite communities make their home here, as well. The rolling pastureland, woods, and small towns along county highways make a wonderful setting for Plain populations—and for stories about them, too! While Jamesport, Missouri is the largest Old Order Amish settlement west of the Mississippi River, other communities have also found the affordable farm land ideal for raising crops, livestock, and running the small family-owned businesses that support their families.

Like my heroine, Miriam Lantz, of my new Seasons of the Heart series, I love to feed people—to share my hearth and home. I bake bread and goodies and I love to try new recipes. I put up jars and jars of green beans, tomatoes, beets and other veggies every summer. All my adult life, I’ve been a deacon, a dedicated church musician and choir member, and we hosted a potluck group in our home for more than twenty years.

Like Abby Lambright, heroine of my new Home at Cedar Creek series, I consider it a personal mission to be a listener and a peacemaker—to heal broken hearts and wounded souls. Faith and family, farming and frugality matter to me: like Abby, I sew and enjoy fabric arts—I made my wedding dress and the one Mom wore, too, when I married into an Iowa farm family more than thirty-five years ago! When I’m not writing, I crochet and sew, and I love to travel.

I recently moved to Minnesota when my husband got a wonderful new job, so now he and I and our border collie, Ramona, are exploring our new state and making new friends.

What a delightful book...and what a delightful author! I have thoroughly enjoyed reading Naomi King's books over the last month and Rosemary Opens Her Heart is no exception.

I love simple books, simple being a compliment of course - books that have an easy to follow plot, believable characters that I really identify with and an ending that makes me pleased I picked up the book in the first place. This was that kind of book - Ms. King has a writing style that makes the words flow and the pages turn so fast you can't believe that it is 2 a.m and you can't bear to put the characters away for the night.

I am so pleased to have discovered this author and her books - I will be sharing this one far and wide!

Hello,I review for Goddess Fish too. I followed you and would love if you followed me back. Would you like to be on my blog and me on yours? Please let me know if you are interested.Thanks!Jodie Piercejodiepierceauthor.blogspot.comthevampirequeen1@gmail.com